The regular meeting of the Utah Transportation Commission, held at the UDOT Rampton Complex, 4501 South 2700 West, Salt Lake City, Utah, was called to order at 8:34 a.m. by Chairman Jeff Holt. He welcomed those attending.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Barlow moved to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2009, Commission Meeting, held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Commissioner Millington seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments at this time.

UDOT SCOREBOARD

Tracy Conti, Engineer for Operations, gave the report on UDOT’s safety program. He noted that there were 243 fatalities for 2009; that’s in comparison to 335 in 1970. Randy Park, Project Development Director, gave the construction report. He noted that there would be some changes to the handouts at the next meeting. He also wants to go through the information in more detail to get an idea of what the Commission would like to see.

I-15 EXPRESS LANES DISCUSSION

Catherine Cutler, Electronic Tolling Manager, distributed handouts and gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the new Express Lanes and the suggested toll rates that were discussed last month. She also stated that the Express Lanes info has been put on a website, and they have received ten e-mails regarding the Express Lanes and tolling costs. Ms. Cutler summarized the content of the e-mails that were received.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION OVERVIEW

Linda Hull, Legislative and Government Affairs Director, distributed handouts of bills UDOT, at this point, would be tracking during the legislative session. She noted that the list would be revised as new bills come out. Ms. Hull reviewed several bills on the list, including HB 57, SB 38, and SB 81. Additional discussion took place regarding SB 38, Restrictions on High Occupancy Vehicle Lane.

PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING

2010 STIP Amendment #4

New Interchange at Bangerter Highway and 600 West – New Project

Bill Lawrence, Program Finance Director, said this item has to do with a study of the need for a new interchange at Bangerter Highway at 600 West, which was funded with $3.5 million of HB 185 funding. This project replaces the SR-140; 14600 South Railroad Structure project. The funds were set aside to facilitate access to the UTA Frontrunner station that was originally proposed to be located near 14600 South. The station has since been moved north of Bangerter Highway. The language in HB 185 was amended in the last legislative session to allow the funding to be used “…for highway access, and other improvements for the new commuter rail station in the south end of Salt Lake County.” Mr. Lawrence said they are requesting approval to add a study for the new interchange at Bangerter Highway at 600 West to the FY 2010-2015 STIP, and remove the SR-140; 14600 South Railroad Structure project from the STIP.

Commissioner Millington moved to approve adding the funding for a study of the New Interchange at Bangerter Highway at 600 West to the FY 2010-2015 STIP, and to remove the SR-140; 14600 South Railroad Structure project from the STIP. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Barlow and unanimously approved.

I-215 On-ramp to Southbound I-15 – New Project – Information Only

Bill Lawrence said this item is for information today, and would be brought back for approval next month. It is a request to add a new project, the I-215 On-ramp to Southbound I-15 project, to the STIP for approximately $7 million. The project would add an additional lane to the onramp to Southbound I-15 from I-215. The additional capacity on the ramp will alleviate congestion on I-215 that routinely causes backing and inhibits the flow of traffic on I-215. The improvement will not decrease the level of service on I-15 mainline; it will require additional pavement and bridge widening. Funding will come from two other projects in Region Two. Commissioner Millington asked if there was any reason the Commission couldn’t approve this today? Carlos Braceras, Deputy Director, said they just wanted to give the Commission a month to think about the request.

Commissioner Millington moved to approve adding the I-215 On-ramp to Southbound I-15 project to the FY 2010 STIP. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Region Three – Two New Projects Request

Bill Lawrence said this item was brought to the Commission in December for information, and they are requesting action on the item today. Region Three is requesting that two new projects be added to the STIP. The first is an I-15; Shoulder Reconstruction project from Spanish Fork to Payson for $5.0 million, the second project is for I-15; Bridge Deck Treatments for Eight Bridge Decks from Spanish Fork to Santaquin for $1.5 million. Funding for the two projects is available from IM funds from two projects, whose funding was replaced with ARRA funds.

Commissioner Millington moved to approve adding the I-15; Shoulder Reconstruction from South of Spanish Fork to Payson project, and the I-15; Bridge Deck Treatment for Eight Bridge Decks from South of Spanish Fork to Santaquin project to the FY 2010 STIP. Commissioner Lewis seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Region Four – Five New Projects Request

Bill Lawrence said this item was also brought to the Commission in December for information. However, there are two additional projects in the request this month. The three original projects are US-191; Moab Canyon to I-70 Pavement Rehabilitation project, US-191; MP 126 to MP 128 widening project, and SR-12; MP 0 to MP 7 pavement preservation project. The two additional projects are the SR-10; South Price to Stake Farm Road project, and the SR-10; Ferron to Rock Creek Bridge project. The region is also asking for approval to add $4.205 million to the Black Ridge to Iron County Line project. Mr. Lawrence said funding has been identified to complete the requests, and is shown in the schedule in the binders.

Commissioner Wilson moved approval to add five new projects to the FY 2010 STIP: US-191; Moab Canyon to I-70, US-191; MP 126 to MP 128; SR-12; MP 0 to MP 7, SR-10; Stake Farm Road to South of Price, SR-10; Ferron to Rock Creek Bridge, and a funding adjustment to the I-15; Black Ridge to Iron County Line project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Millington and unanimously approved.

Transit Hub & Underpass at Lions Park in Grand County – Add to STIP

Bill Lawrence explained that Grand County has been awarded two FTA grants that need to be added to the STIP so funding can be issued. The project is a Transit Hub and Underpass at Lions Park, for $3.774 million.

Commissioner Wilson moved to approve adding the Lions Park Transit Hub and Trail project to the 2010-2015 STIP. Commissioner Barlow seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Manila Elementary Safe Routes to School Project – New ARRA Project

Bill Lawrence said this is a request to reprogram ARRA Transportation Enhancement Funds for a Safe Routes to School project at Manila Elementary School in Pleasant Grove. Approximately $150,000 of unobligated ARRA funds remains in the Transportation Enhancement ARRA program. That would be combined with $107,500 of Safe Routes to School funds, for a total of $257,500 for the project. The project would include installation of new sidewalks, curb extensions, and other pedestrian related enhancements.

Commissioner Millington moved to approve adding the Safe Routes to School Project near Manila Elementary School in Pleasant Grove to the FY 2010 STIP. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holbrook and unanimously approved.

SR-92; Diverging Diamond Interchange – Funding Adjustment

Bill Lawrence distributed handouts and said this request is for approval to transfer $8.5 million from the I-15 Core project to the SR-92; Lehi to Highland project, to construct a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at the I-15/SR-92 interchange. It includes $8.5 million for construction and $500,000 for right of way. The DDI improvements would extend the life of the interchange by 15-20 years, and save the Department $2.5 million by not constructing the temporary fix as bid by the DB contractor. Additional comments were made by Bryan Adams of the Access Utah office, and Andrew Jackson of MAG.

Commissioner Barlow moved for approval to transfer $8.5 million of funding from the I-15 Core project to the SR-92; Lehi to Highland project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Millington and approved unanimously.

ARRA Update

Structures Preservation and Rehabilitation List – Information Only

Pavement Preservation & Rehabilitation List – Information Only

Ahmad Jaber, Systems Planning and Programming Director, distributed handouts and explained where they are regarding the current ARRA program. He stated that there is discussion in Congress regarding a second stimulus bill. They are planning on a program similar to the first stimulus; however, there will be a few differences. If a bill is signed, they want to be ready to have projects advertised in the required time frame. The focus of the list is on bridge and pavement preservation. Chairman Holt noted that the Commission might have to meet via conference call to move quickly on that, in light of some changes to the Commission meeting schedule that will be talked about later. There was extensive discussion regarding commodities, the bidding climate, contingency, etc., in regards to a second stimulus bill. Mr. Lawrence talked about the projects on the handouts, and said the handouts replace the ones currently in the binders.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION OVERVIEW

Chairman Holt said he skipped over a part of the Legislative Session Overview, and had Becky Bradshaw, the new Finance Director, give an overview of the Governor’s budget. Ms. Bradshaw distributed handouts and reviewed the information contained in them. She said the budget recommendation on the second page is to issue bonds for an additional $100 million to replace the cash transferred from the Transportation Investment Fund during FY 2010. Ms. Bradshaw also talked about the Governor’s Executive Order and a proposed 3% budget reduction. She said they are meeting that reduction through vacancies, turnover savings, etc.

LOGAN BLUFF LANDSLIDE

Chairman Holt said the Commission was not ready to talk about this item.

Commissioner Millington moved to table the Logan Bluff Landslide discussion. Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

GENEVA ROAD AGREEMENT UPDATE

Linda Hull reviewed the situation with the Geneva Road agreement. She said the agreement has been sent to Utah County for their attorneys to review; however, they have not heard back from them yet. Mr. Braceras said they are moving forward with the procurement process, but won’t do any more than that without the agreement being signed.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS/CONDITIONS AND NEEDS REPORT

Asset Management

Tim Rose from Systems Planning and Programming gave a PowerPoint presentation on Asset Management, which included information on construction cost inflation, the bridge system, the pavement system, and funding needs.

REQUEST FOR USE OF CORRIDOR PRESERVATION FUNDS

Fern Hanson Family Partners – US-6/SR198

Lyle McMillan, Right of Way Director, handed out a copy of the Corridor Preservation Budget and Obligation as of 1/12/10, and reviewed the information on it. He noted that they have several large potential purchases that may come to the Commission in future meetings. Mr. McMillan then reviewed the request for the Michael Willey property on the Mountain View Corridor. He said the property is currently vacant and the property owner was looking to subdivide it into two lots. The property is valued at approximately $145,000. The Corridor Preservation Advisory Committee has reviewed this request and recommends appropriating Corridor Preservation funds for the purchase of this property.

Commissioner Holbrook moved to approve the acquisition of the Michael Willey property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner McConkie and approved unanimously.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

FHWA Report

James Christian, FHWA Division Administrator, presented an award for the Southern Parkway, from FHWA, as one of the exemplary projects in the nation. Mr. Christian also talked about some national comparisons regarding ARRA funds, and congratulated UDOT on a superb job of keeping inactive obligations low.

Commission Committee Reports

Commissioner Holt referred to the chart in the binders and noted that he would take over the assignment for the Audit Committee, and Commissioner McConkie had been assigned to take over the rest of Stuart Adams’ former assignments. Commissioner Holbrook reported on her UTA Board assignment.

Upcoming Transportation Commission Meetings

The upcoming schedule of Transportation Commission meetings was discussed. Chairman Holt noted that in the Governor’s Executive Order it asked that board, councils, and commission meetings be reduced. So, in keeping with that directive, Chairman Holt suggested that the February 2010 meeting be cancelled, and to keep the rest of the year flexible as to which meetings would be cancelled.

Commissioner Holbrook made a motion to cancel the February 2010 meeting and to keep the rest of the year’s meeting dates flexible, as to which other meetings would be cancelled. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wilson and approved unanimously.

The date for the May meeting was discussed. The date selected was May 18, with a location to be determined later. The next regular Utah Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2010, in St. George, Utah. The following date and location has also been scheduled:

April 27-28, 2010 – Salt Lake City

The meeting adjourned at 10:51 a.m.

The following Commissioners, staff members and others were in attendance: